This legislation will be with us for the long term. Today, it’s controversy over a pipeline. Tomorrow, it could be an electricity transmission line or a project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

There is a tremendous opportunity to transform Canadians’ views on energy decision-making from pessimism to optimism—but it’s going to take individual and collective action by all governments on the policy, planning and project fronts. Here’s to hoping they seize the opportunity.

The government must first and foremost address policy gaps on climate, indigenous issues and cumulative effects. It must also identify where energy sits in its economic development and innovation agenda. It is true the Trudeau government faces defining choices on energy—let’s hope they focus on the right ones.